Real Madrid Secures 3-0 Victory Over Schalke in Preseason Finale

Real Madrid concluded their preseason preparations with a 3-0 victory over Schalke on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring just five minutes into the match following a defensive error, setting the tone for a dominant performance.

Dean Huijsen doubled Madrid’s lead 15 minutes later, scoring with a header from Arda Güler’s delivery. Substitute Carlos Espí added a third goal in the second half with a header from Álvaro Carreras’ cross, further solidifying the win for the LaLiga side.

This match marked Madrid’s fourth consecutive unbeaten game under new head coach José Mourinho, who noted a positive development both as a team and individually. He commented on the varying levels of intensity among players, mentioning that those who arrived later had fewer training sessions compared to those who had been with the team since day one.

“There are some players who arrived later and don’t yet have the same intensity as the guys who started on day one,” Mourinho explained. “Those who started on day one have had 30 training sessions and six matches, while the newcomers have had three or four training sessions. There is, obviously, a difference in rhythm, intensity, and stamina.”

Real Madrid made four substitutions at halftime, introducing Andriy Lunin, Antonio Rüdiger, Eduardo Camavinga, and Espí. This injection of fresh talent paid off when Espí found the net in the 57th minute. Later in the match, new signings Ibrahima Konaté and Bernardo Silva made their starting debuts, while Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande came off the bench, along with Jude Bellingham, who had returned to training just days prior.

Following the match, Cucurella expressed his happiness about contributing to the team’s success. “I’m very happy. I think it was a good game from everyone, and it’s our last result before starting the league. They’re my first minutes. I’m finding my rhythm and I’m looking forward to getting started in the league,” he said.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid will begin their competitive season for 2026-27 next Saturday with an away match against Espanyol. Mourinho emphasized the importance of creating a cohesive team from the depth of talent within the squad. “It’s not easy to jump straight into the high intensity we’re working on. It’s not easy for them to have double sessions,” he noted.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn